Extension lamp bulb guard and reflector

ABSTRACT

An extension lamp bulb guard and reflector of the type comprising a drop light, which includes a lamp bulb guard or cage unit and a suspension hook operatively associated with a handle and having a lamp bulb reflector. The hook is attached to a handle as a unit, and the reflector is mounted for independent rotation with respect to the unit. The unit consisting of the handle, guard, and hook, together with the associated extension cord, can be suspended from the hook, and regardless of stresses, tensions or torques on the cord, the reflector can be freely turned to focus the light on the work and out of a user&#39;&#39;s eyes, without the necessity of loosening or rearranging any parts with the exception of a free rotation or movement of the reflector.

United States Patent 1191 Moreschini Aug. 28, 1973 EXTENSION LAMP BULBGUARD AND REFLECTOR Primary Examiner-Joseph F. Peters, Jr. [76]Inventor: Victor Moreschinl, 1300 N Santa Fe Auomey Raphael Semmes Ave.,Pueblo, Colo. 81003 7 A TR CT 5 BS A [22] Filed: Dec. 9, 1971 l 1 Anextens1on lamp bulb guard and reflector of the type PP N04 206,299comprising a drop light, which includes a lamp bulb Related us.Appncauon Dam guard or cage unit and a suspension hook operativelyassociated with a handle and having a lamp bulb reflec- [63] gg g sgzglg of tor. The hook is attached to a handle as a unit, and thereflector is mounted for independent rotation with re- [52] us Cl 240/54A 240/108 R spect to the unit. The unit consisting of the handle, [51]Int Cl 15 02 3: 21/00 guard, and hook, together with the associatedexten- [58] Field 240/52 3 54 R 54 A sion cord, can be suspended fromthe hook, and regard- 24O/1O8 less of stresses, tensions or torques onthe cord, the reflector can be freely turned to focus the light on the[56] References Cited work and out of a users eyes, without thenecessity of loosening or rearranging any parts with the exceptionUNITED STATES PATENTS of a free rotation or movement of the reflector.1,692,892 11/1928 Floyd 240/108 R 2,726,323 12/1955 Waterman 1. 240 54 A6 Claims, 11 Drawmg Figures I l \I I y I 1 1 e i A I I 64 i, 34 A 62 22E l] U Pmmsmuczs m3 3.755568 SHEET 1 [1F 2 INVENTOR VICTOR MORESCHINI 20T UQM ATTORNEY PATENTEU AUG 2 8 i973 SHEET 2 BF 2 (NVENTOQ VICTOF?MORESCHINI ATTORNEY EXTENSION LAMP BULB GUARD AND REFLECTORCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION A continuation-in-part ofapplication Ser. No. 67,714, entitled Rotating Shade Drop Light RotoShade, filed Aug. 28, 1970, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heretofore, extension lamps of the droplight type which include a suspension hook, lamp bulb guard and handle,together with a reflector, have not satisfactorily provided for lightreflection focusing due to their construction. The position of thereflector in such constructions has been affected by torque or pullingon the cord, or the weight of the guard, or position where hung. Thecord torque or weight causes the free swiveling hook to turn, forexample, or result in a misalignment of the reflector with reference tothe work location. In some constructions, adjustment of the reflectorcould be effected by loosening components of the combination andadjusting the same, with a subsequent fixing by tightening of loosenedmembers. Such constructions preclude, or in any event detract from,facile use of the light for work conditions and positions.

The present invention overcomes these drawbacks and deficiencies in theprior devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An extension lamp bulb guard and reflector ofthe drop light type consisting of a handle, a lamp bulb guard, asuspension hook, and a light reflector wherein the handle, suspensionhook, and sometimes the guard, are connected as a unit, and thereflector is mounted for independent rotation. The constructioneliminates twisting, misalignment or misdirection of light focusingwhich might otherwise occur due to weight stress, torque, or tension onthe cord in use. In the present construction, since the cord, handle andhook are a fixed or stabilized unit, the reflector can be freely andreadily turned to any desired light reflection angle and can be easilyvaried for different working positions, regardless of placement orsuspension of the lamp.

Other and additional objects and advantages of the invention will bemore readily apparent from the following detailed descriptions ofembodiments thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded elevational view of an extension lampincorporating the lamp bulb guard, suspension hook and light reflectorin accordance with the invention, the lamp bulb guard and reflectorbeing shown in disassociated relation;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the structure of FIG. 1, with the lampbulb guard and reflector in associated operable relationship with theremaining structure;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the structure of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the inventionembodying the principles of the invention in a structurally differentmanner;

FIG. 5 is a view taken on line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of an additional modification of theinvention utilizing spring clip attachment means for the lamp bulb guardand reflector;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view ofa further modification wherein thesuspension hook is mounted exterior of the lamp bulb guard and reflectorassembly;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a further embodiment of the inventionincorporating a lamp bulb guard having bulb access means at the free endof the guard and a separable reflector unit;

FIG. 9 is an' elevational view of a still further embodi ment of theinvention similar to FIG. 8, but with the reflector consisting ofmagnetized material, permitting selective adjustment and positionment onthe guard unit;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of a still further embodiment of theinvention wherein the reflector has a permanent magnet attached thereto,for adjustment with respect to the guard, and incorporating aninsulating air space in the reflector; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view through the reflector of FIG. 10disclosing in greater detail the insulating air space.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending applicationSer. No. 67,714, entitled Rotating Shade Drop Light Roto Shade, filedAug. 28, 1970, and incorporates the basic principles and structures ofthis preceding application and further discloses additional specificallydifferent structures for accomplishing the overall end result thereof.

Referring now in more detail to the drawings, the invention is directedto an extension lamp bulb guard and reflector of the type usuallyassociated with and referred to as a drop light or trouble light. Suchconstructions include a handle 20, fragmentarily shown, a lamp bulbsocket 22, and a detachable or removable bulb 24. The electric cord orextension cord, not shown, extends operatively into handle 20 and iselectrically connected with the lamp bulb socket 22in a usual manner.Such constructions are usually provided with a suspension hook,generally indicated at 26, adapted for suspending the lamp from anyconvenient means in proximity to a work location. In heretofore knownconstructions, these hooks are freely rotatably mounted with respect tothe remainder of the unit, with the result that the angular position ofa reflector unit associated therewith is affected by torque or pullingof the cord or the weight of the guard or position where hung. Suchforces with a free swiveling hook tend to affect the position of thereflector and accordingly focusing of the light on the work area. Thepresent invention, in all embodiments shown and described, eliminatesthis drawback.

In FIG. 1, a partial bulb cage 28 includes a plurality of shaped wires30 adapted to partially surround bulb 24, which terminate and are fixedat their upper ends to a spool or thimble 32, with hook 26 being fixedwith respect to spool 32 and accordingly wires 30. The lower ends ofwires 30 are secured to a cylindrical attachment member 34 which can bein the nature of a split sleeve adapted to pass over the end of socket22 and can be rigidly secured thereon by means of a conventional splitclamp 36 with tightening nutand bolt combination 38. When mounted asshown in FIG. 1, the hook is rigidly fixed with respect to handle 20,or, in other words, is non-rotatable with respect thereto. The partialcage 28 is also non-rotatable with respect to the handle.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the lamp bulb guard 40 consists ofaplurality of bent wires 42 attached at their upper ends to asemi-cylindrical collar 44, and at their lower ends to asemi-cylindrical collar 46. The guard 40 is pivotally attached at 48 toa light reflector, generally designated 50, which includes a formedreflector surnector 34. Latch 58 is then operatively engaged with anabutting wire 42 to fasten the combination guard and reflector unit in afreely rotatable manner with respect to a unit formed by the handle,bulb and suspension hook. Due to this freely rotatable mounting,regardless of the position assumed by the handle and hook unit due toforces on the cord or the like, the reflector can be appropriatelyadjusted to reflect light to the work area.

The embodiment of FIG. 4 functions in the same manner as the precedingembodiment but varies slightly in structure. The hook 26A is againrigidly secured to a connector 34A fixed with respect to handle 20.Reflector 50A is again generally configured for partial surrounding ofbulb 24 and has at the upper end thereof an apertured disc 60A whichfits over the stem of hook 26A in a freely rotatable manner. A splitsleeve 62 engages around connector 34A, and tightener 64 is provided.Guard 40A is hingedly attached at 48 to the reflector and has a baleportion 66 engageable with a friction lock 68 on reflector 58. Theassociation and function is the same as in the previous embodiment,permitting free rotation of the reflector and guard'unit with respect tothe handle, hook combination.

In FIG. 6, the modification shown is quite similar to that of FIG. 4,but the reflector 50B is provided with a spring clip 70 at its upper endand a spring clip 72 on collar 74 at its lower end for free rotatablemounting on the hook, handle unit.

In FIG. 7, reflector 50C includes only a lower collar 76 and spring clip78 for association with. the handle. The hook 26C terminates at itslower end in a split collar 80 for rigid securement on handle 20. Againthe reflector, guard is freely rotatable with respect to the fixedhandle, hook combination.

In FIG. 8, the reflector 50D has a lower cylindrical collar 82 similarto FIG. 7, with the body of the reflector and hook 26D having a slightlydifferent configuration and ofa generally upper cylindricalconfiguration. The guard 40D has a lower attachment collar 84 for fixedengagement with respect to handle 20, butwith an open cylindrical upperend 86 formed of wire member 88 on which are pivotally engaged andmounted a plurality of segments 90, which collectively form an endclosure, or, when in opened position, permit access to bulb 24. Again,the operation is identicalwith the above embodiments.

In FIG. 9, the hook and cage 26D and 40D are the same as in FIG. 8. Thereflector 50E, however. consists of magnetized material which, throughcoaction with the wires of guard 40!), permit freely adjusting therelative positions thereof.

In FIG. 10, a still further modification is shown, again including aguard 40F affixed at its lower end 92 with 6 respect to the handle 20.The hook 26F, together with guard 40F, is rigid with respect to thehandle. Thereflector 50F, ofa shaped configuration, has a permanent keepit cool.

magnet 94 secured thereon. The operation of this embodiment is similarto that of FIG. 9. Additionally, however, the reflector 50F consists ofa double wall construction, including inner wall 96 and spaced outerwall 98, which form an air space 100 therebetween. The air space 100serves to insulate the outer shade wall to While preferred embodimentshave been hereinabove described and shown in the drawings, manifestlyminor changes in details of construction can be effected withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in andlimited solely by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A lamp bulb guard and reflector for a combination extension cord,handle and bulb socket unit comprising:

a. a suspension hook fixedly attached to said unit;

b. a bulb guard operatively attachable with said unit;

c. a reflector rotatably mountable on said unit, in angular positionretaining engagement therewith and rotatable with respect to the fixedposition suspension hook for adjustable positionment with respectthereto;

d. said reflector and said bulb guard being formed as hingedlyinterconnected semi-bulb encircling units for at least partial bulbencirclement and as an interconnected unit being jointly rotatable withrespect to said hook;

e. upper and lower spools fixed with respect to said hook and saidhandle; and

f. said guard and said reflector having upper and lower semi-cylindricalsleeves thereon adapted for rotatably mounting said guard and saidreflector as a unit when in closed assembled relationship and mounted onsaid spools.

2. A lamp bulb guard and reflector for a combination extension cord,handle and bulb socket unit comprising:

a. a suspension hook fixedly attached to said unit;

b. a bulb guard operatively attachable with said unit;

c. a reflector rotatably mountable on said unit, in angular positionretaining engagement therewith and rotatable with respect to the fixedposition suspension hook for adjustable positionment with respectthereto;

c]. said reflector and said bulb guard being formed as hingedlyinterconneced semi-bulb encircling units for at least partial bulbencirclement and as an interconnected unit being jointly rotatable withrespect to said hook;

e. said reflector having an apertured disc at the upper end thereofrotatably joumalled on the stem of said fixed hook;

f. a clamp at the lower. end of said reflector adjustably engageablewith said unit; and

g. said disc and said clamp conjointly permitting rotation of thecombined reflector and guard with respect to said handle.

3. A lamp bulb guard and reflector for a combination extension cord,handle and bulb socket unit comprising:

a. a suspension hook fixedly attached to said unit; b. a bulb guardoperatively attachable with said unit; c. a reflector rotatablymountable on said unit in angular position retaining engagementtherewith and rotatable with respect to the fixed position suspensionhook for adjustable positionment with respect thereto;

d. said reflector and said bulb guard being formed as hingedlyinterconnected semi-bulb encircling units for at least partial bulbencirclement and as an interconnct ed unit being jointly rotatable withrespect to said hook; and

c. said reflector including spring clips at the upper and bottom endsthereof in operative engagement with said hook and said handle, wherebysaid reflector and combined guard are rotatably positionable around andwith respect to said bulb and with respect to hook positionment.

4. A lamp bulb guard and reflector for a combination extension cord,handle and bulb socket unit comprismg:

a. a suspension hook attachable to said unit as a fixed positionnon-rotatable integrated component thereof;

b. a bulb guard fixedly mounted with respect to said handle andencompassing said bulb;

c. a reflector rotatably mountable on said unit and freely andindependently rotatable with respect to the fixed position suspensionhook;

(1. said reflector having a clamp at the bottom thereof rotatablyadjustably mounting said reflector in angular position retainingengagement with respect to said handle and said guard and to facilitateindependent adjustable positionment with respect to said fixed positionsuspension hook.

5. A lamp bulb guard and reflector for a combination extension cord,handle and bulb socket unit comprising:

a. a suspension hook attachable to said unit as a fixed positionnon-rotatable integrated component thereof;

b. a bulb guard fixedly mounted with respect to said handle andencompassing said bulb;

c. a reflector rotatably mountable on said unit and freely andindependently rotatable with respect to the fixed position suspensionhook; and

d. magnetic means connected with said reflector, said reflector beingmagnetically attachable to said guard whereby said reflector isangularly adjustable with respect to said guard.

6. A lamp bulb guard and reflector for a combination extension cord,handle and bulb socket unit comprising:

a. a suspension hook attachable to said unit as a fixed positionnon-rotatable integrated component thereof;

b. a bulb guard fixedly mounted with respect to said handle andencompassing said bulb;

c. a reflector rotatably mountable on said unit and freely andindependently rotatable with respect to the fixed position suspensionhook; and

d. said reflector being composed of magnetized material for magneticattachment to said guard whereby said reflector is angularly adjustablewith respect to said guard.

1. A lamp bulb guard and reflector for a combination extension cord,handle and bulb socket unit comprising: a. a suspension hook fixedlyattached to said unit; b. a bulb guard operatively attachable with saidunit; c. a reflector rotatably mountable on said unit, in angularposition retaining engagement therewith and rotatable with respect tothe fixed position suspension hook for adjustable positionment withrespect thereto; d. said reflector and said bulb guard being formed ashingedly interconnected semi-bulb encircling units for at least partialbulb encirclement and as an interconnected unit being jointly rotatablewith respect to said hook; e. upper and lower spools fixed with respectto said hook and said handle; and f. said guard and said reflectorhaving upper and lower semicylindrical sleeves thereon adapted forrotatably mounting said guard and said reflector as a unit when inclosed assembled relationship and mounted on said spools.
 2. A lamp bulbguard and reflector for a combination extension cord, handle and bulbsocket unit comprising: a. a suspension hook fixedly attached to saidunit; b. a bulb guard operatively attachable with said unit; c. areflector rotatably mountable on said unit, in angular positionretaining engagement therewith and rotatable with respect to the fixedposition suspension hook for adjustable positionment with respectthereto; d. said reflector and said bulb guard being formed as hingedlyinterconneced semi-bulb encircling units for at least partial bulbencirclement and as an interconnected unit being jointly rotatable withrespect to said hook; e. said reflector having an apertured disc at theupper end thereof rotatably journalled on the stem of said fixed hook;f. a clamp at the lower end of said reflector adjustably engageable withsaid unit; and g. said disc and said clamp conjointly permittingrotation of the combined reflector and guard with respect to saidhandle.
 3. A lamp bulb guard and reflector for a combination extensioncord, handle and bulb socket unit comprising: a. a suspension hookfixedly attached to said unit; b. a bulb guard operatively attachablewith said unit; c. a reflector rotatably mountable on said unit inangular position retaining engagement therewith and rotatable withrespect to the fixed position suspension hook for adjustablepositionment with respect thereto; d. said reflector and said bulb guardbeing formed as hingedly interconnected semi-bulb encircling units forat least partial bulb encirclement and as an interconncted unit beingjointly rotatable with respect to said hook; and e. said reflectorincluding spring clips at the upper and bottom ends thereof in operativeengagement with said hook and said handle, whereby said reflector andcombined guard are rotatably positionable around and with respect tosaid bulb and with respect to hook positionment.
 4. A lamp bulb guardand reflector for a combination extension cord, handle and bulb socketunit comprising: a. a suspension hook attachable to said unit as a fixedposition non-rotatable integrated component thereof; b. a bulb guardfixedly mounted with respect to said handle and encompassing said bulb;c. a reflector rotatably mountable on said unit and freely andindependently rotatable with respect to the fixed position suspensionhook; d. said reflector having a clamp at the bottom thereof rotatablyadjustably mounting said reflector in angular position retainingengagement with respect to said handle and said guard and to facilitateindependent adjustable positionment with respect to said fixed positionsuspension hook.
 5. A lamp bulb guard and reflector for a combinationextension cord, handle and bulb socket unit comprising: a. a suspensionhook attachable to said unit as a fixed position non-rotatableintEgrated component thereof; b. a bulb guard fixedly mounted withrespect to said handle and encompassing said bulb; c. a reflectorrotatably mountable on said unit and freely and independently rotatablewith respect to the fixed position suspension hook; and d. magneticmeans connected with said reflector, said reflector being magneticallyattachable to said guard whereby said reflector is angularly adjustablewith respect to said guard.
 6. A lamp bulb guard and reflector for acombination extension cord, handle and bulb socket unit comprising: a. asuspension hook attachable to said unit as a fixed positionnon-rotatable integrated component thereof; b. a bulb guard fixedlymounted with respect to said handle and encompassing said bulb; c. areflector rotatably mountable on said unit and freely and independentlyrotatable with respect to the fixed position suspension hook; and d.said reflector being composed of magnetized material for magneticattachment to said guard whereby said reflector is angularly adjustablewith respect to said guard.